A focus of Health Psychology is to target the juncture between physical and emotional illness. The goal is to improve health and well-being by applying what we know about psychology and the human brain.

Services within the Health Psychology program include

Persistent (Chronic) Pain. Sometimes people experience pain that persists past the "acute" phase and becomes "chronic". Sometimes there does not appear to be a medical solution to get rid of the pain. This pain can have a major effect on someone's mood, relationships, thoughts, and productivity.

Transgender Evaluations. In addition to the many Western clinicians who are skilled in working with people who are transgender, Western has practitioners who are competent in providing a Readiness Assessment for medical transitioning.

Chronic disease. Many chronic diseases can be helped by targeted, evidence-based mental health interventions. Irritable bowel syndrome, psychogenic seizures, congestive heart failure, asthma, and migraines are examples of medical conditions that can improve with the right psychological intervention.

Biofeedback. Western is on the forefront of the use of biofeedback for addressing mental and physical health conditions. Biofeedback uses instruments that provide biological information that the person can use to gain more control of the body's responses. Western has focused on "heart rate variability" through the HeartMath system.

Integration into Primary Care

Western is pleased to have developed several partnerships with healthcare providers to promote positive health outcomes in our community.

Our integrated services are based on the Primary Care Behavioral Health Consultation model. This means services are provided within the primary care clinic by Behavioral Health Consultants, licensed providers who have special expertise in health psychology. These services focus on the social and psychological affects on physical health or other life problems. Interventions are practical, wellness-focused, and evidence-based.

Western has Behavioral Health Consultants at several locations including

In addition, Western has developed strong relationships with several healthcare providers to ensure coordination around referrals and collaboration of care. Our partnerships include The Portland Clinic and Metropolitan Pediatrics.

Related Pages

Client Portal

Western has a client portal for clients who are in services with us! Features include viewing and requesting changes in appointments, view statements or balances, access medication information and more. You can also pay off your balance through the portal!

Contact the location nearest you

Primary Care Provider services

Western partners with several primary care clinics to provide services in the clinic to help patients become the healthiest person possible. Partners include Northwest Primary Care, Willamette Falls Pediatric, South Tabor, Family Medical Group NE, and Evergreen Pediatric to provide this service. To access those services, talk to your primary care provider.